my darling, my love
my dear prince charming
how peaceful you look in your sleep
I come night after night
and dutifully stand at post,
protecting you in your deep slumber.

the soft little sighs that escape
as the plush clouds of sleep
float your little mind up
to a land far above the skies —
that’s enough for me,
enough compensation for my time.

I sit, stare, sigh
how delightful would it be
to have those beautiful eyes open,
and look straight into mine?
how heavenly would it be
to hear those soft, silken lips
murmur words of affection,
willingly, for me,
into my ears for the remainder of time?

but my prince, my sweetheart
you don’t know that I call you mine
you don’t know the restraint I place
to keep from getting out of line

I cannot let you know;
you would be startled and scared —
your peaceful visage would shatter,
your sleep will be filled with endless fear.
and this precious time I share with you,
I would have to say good-bye.

so long as you’re here,
sleeping safe and sound
so long as I can come say hello
to your peaceful, sleeping face,
as long as that lasts, my prince,
you will be mine.